H.Res. 821

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 821 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 821

Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as ``National 
Dyslexia Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 17, 2025

Mr. Westerman (for himself, Mr. Bean of Florida, Ms. DelBene, Ms. 
Brownley, Mrs. Houchin, and Mr. Lawler) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as ``National 
Dyslexia Awareness Month''.

Whereas dyslexia is--

(1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual 
who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and

(2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing 
(the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which 
affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell;

Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-391; 132 Stat. 5194) included 
a definition of dyslexia as part of the requirement of the Act to screen 
inmates for dyslexia upon intake in Federal prisons;
Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, United States 
Code, as added by section 101(a) of the First Step Act of 2018 (Public 
Law 115-391; 132 Stat. 5195), is the first and only definition of 
dyslexia in a Federal statute;
Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 
percent of all individuals with a learning disability;
Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out 
of every 5 individuals;
Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dyslexia may have 
both--

(1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties in accurate or 
fluent word recognition; and

(2) strengths in higher level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, 
critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;

Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific 
level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological 
bases of dyslexia;
Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs 
as early as first grade;
Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for 
ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based 
intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-
awareness and self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary 
accommodations that ensure success in school and in life; and
Whereas October 2025 is an appropriate month to designate as ``National Dyslexia 
Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and local 
educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant 
educational implications that must be addressed; and
(2) supports the designation of ``National Dyslexia 
Awareness Month''.
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